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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Abkhazia Claims Shootdown of 2 Georgian Spy Drones |
| 2008-05-05 |
| Pro-Russian separatists in Georgia's Abkhazia region say they have shot down two Georgian spy drones over the breakaway region Sunday. However, Georgia has denied launching any flights in the area. The claim and denial come two weeks after a Georgian drone was downed in the same area, heightening already-strained relations between Russia and Georgia. Russia's Itar-Tass news agency says one of today's claimed shootdowns occurred over the Ochamchira region of Abkhazia. Georgian television reports groundfire in the area and says some Russian peacekeepers have been taken prisoner. The Rustavi television report has not been confirmed. Tensions between Georgia and Russia rose last month after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to establish closer links with Abkhazia and a second breakaway Georgian border region, South Ossetia. On April 20th - days after the Putin order was reported - Georgia accused Russian forces of shooting down a reconnaissance drone over Abkhazia. Georgia televised a video it says shows a Russian fighter jet downing the drone. Moscow denies involvement and says the video was fabricated. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #1 RIAN > Abkhazia claims that 7,500 Georgian troops are massing on its border; + WILL ABKHAZIA BECOME A WAR AGAIN?; + TOPIX > GEORGIA ACCUSES RUSSIA OF AGGRESSION. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-05-05 03:11 |